BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE UNTIL 31ST JULY!

QUOTE CODE JADTQU WHEN BOOKING*

The best of the mighty Rhine

On our Blue Riband voyage Olympia cruises from the Middle Rhine, through the Rhine Gorge and to the Swiss city of Basel, before turning north and cruising to Cologne. En route, you'll call at Rudesheim, visit ancient Speyer and have the chance to explore your surroundings on a series of optional excursions.

What The Price Includes

Full-board arrangements while on board, including afternoon tea, coffee and cake, and late-night snacks

Two cruises (north and south) through the Rhine Gorge

A guided walking tour of Speyer

Calls at Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rudesheim and Mainz

A visit to Breisach

An overnight stop in Basel, Switzerland

On-board English commentary

On-board entertainment including a welcome cocktail party and a Captain's Farewell Dinner

Luggage porterage

The services of a friendly, professional crew

The services of a Newmarket Cruise Manager

All prices are per person and based on two sharing

Single cabins are available for a supplement

Ship Information

Modern, well-equipped Olympia offers all you could wish to ensure that you enjoy every moment of your Rhine cruise. With accommodation and dining facilities for just under a hundred passengers, the ship has a warm, intimate feeling about her from the minute you step on board.

Deck Plans

Itinerary

Day One

Make your own way to Germany, and join Olympia in the ancient Rhine town of Andernach. After a first evening meal on board, retire to your comfortable cabin.

Day Two

Olympia heads upstream into the Middle Rhine - passing Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein castle - through a land of vineyards, castles and villages into the Rhine Gorge beneath the fabled Lorelei. This afternoon we'll arrive in Rudesheim. Stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, and join our optional excursion to Siegfried's Musikkabinett, travelling on the local 'Winzer Express' train.

Day Three

A morning cruise brings you to the ancient city of Speyer. Join our included walking tour of this, one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire, with its UNESCO-listed cathedral and fascinating altstadt (old town).

This evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment on board, as Olympia moors in Speyer for the night.

Day Four

Olympia arrives, this afternoon, in the beautiful Alsace capital of Strasbourg. Join a fascinating optional excursion by boat through the city's winding canals, and discover its soaring Notre-Dame cathedral - one of France's great Gothic churches - and the buildings of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

Day Five

A leisurely cruise this morning brings you to Basel, Switzerland's only gateway to the sea. Explore the bustling Altstadt and Marktplatz, and perhaps take in the stupendous views from atop the magnificent Munster. This afternoon's excursion visits the spectacular Rhine Falls, with the option to take a boat ride (payable locally).

Day Six

Today's full-day optional excursion reveals beautiful lakeside Lucerne, with its restored wooden 'Chapel Bridge'. Enjoy a guided walking tour before heading through the surrounding Swiss countryside to rejoin Olympia in Breisach as she pauses on her northward journey to Kehl.

Day Seven

After a morning's scenic cruising, Olympia calls at Mannheim, from where you can join an optional excursion to beautiful Heidelberg on the wooded south bank of the Neckar. One of Germany's 'must-see' destinations, Heidelberg has inspired poets - and operetta composers - for centuries.

You'll rejoin Olympia in Mainz, and have the opportunity to take a stroll through the town after dinner.

Day Eight

Cruise back, along the most romantic stretch of the Rhine, to Cologne. Here our final optional excursion introduces the city, with its twin-towered Gothic cathedral and surrounding Altstadt, before you join the Captain and fellow guests for a special Farewell Dinner and entertainment on board.

Day Nine

Bid farewell to Olympia, and begin your journey home.

Further Information

Optional shore excursions

Optional excursions are available on all cruises, and we recommend that you book now to secure your place. If the number of bookings needed to operate any excursion is not reached, the excursion may be cancelled. In this case your payment will be refunded in full.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory, but from experience we know that many passengers like to leave gratuities for the crew. An envelope will be left in your cabin for this purpose.

Pre-paid drinks package

Spend just £17.50 per person per night, and enjoy unlimited draught beer, house wine and soft drinks (including water, tea and coffee) between 10am and midnight while on board Olympia. All other drinks are not included. The drinks package must be purchased by every person occupying a particular cabin.

Dress code

The dress code on board and ashore is casual. After 7pm, in the lounge and restaurant, shorts are not permitted, and footwear and a shirt or T-shirt must be worn.

Drinking water

The tap water on board is safe to drink, but may not be to your taste due to the purification system.

Luggage

Where possible, non-rigid suitcases are easier to store within your cabin.

Cabin sizes

The majority of cabins on board are 10.5m square. Single cabins are approximately 7.7m square. (These measurements include the bathroom.) Standard Promenade cabins are 15m square and most have double beds (which do not convert to sofas), but they do not have a table or stool and will by subject to engine noise during overnight and early morning sailing.

Itinerary changes

On rare occasions, the Captain may need to alter the Cruise Itinerary. If this happens, the Cruise Manager will keep passengers informed.

*This offer is valid for new bookings made between 23rd June and 31st July 2017 (inclusive) only. Prices shown when booking do not include the discount. The discount amount will be added to your booking once the promo code has been entered and will be confirmed before purchase. Single cabin full fares will be discounted by 50 per cent when the promo code is applied. The offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.